REPORT OFSUSTAINABLE REGENERATION SCRUTINY
TO THE SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION SCRUTINY
ON MONDAY 5thJULY 2010
TITLE:FEEDBACK FROM MEETING ON 7thJUNE 2010
RECOMMENDATIONS:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This report reviews the matters considered by Strategy & Regeneration Scrutiny on 7thJune:-
Central Salford URC
MediaCity UK
Chapel Street Regeneration
Irwell River Park
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: Reports to strategy & Regeneration Scrutiny
are published on SOLAR
(Available for public inspection)
KEY DECISION:NO
DETAILS:
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: Regeneration
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS:
ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Not applicable
SOURCE OF FUNDING: Not applicable
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Supplied byNot applicable
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED:
CONTACT OFFICER: Peter Kidd, Scrutiny SupportTEL. NO.793 3322
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): ALL WARDS
DETAILS
- Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (URC)
Chris Farrow, Chief Executive of the URC, Karen Hirst, Development officer and Jim Wensley, Head of Programme Management, attended the meeting to deliver a presentation on MediaCity UK, the Chapel Street Regeneration project and Irwell River Park, three major projects that will transform central Salford.
Due to the comprehensive information delivered and the questioning and contributions from members, time ran out before the Irwell River Park could be discussed. This will be revisited at the next meeting.
For the benefit of new members Chris a brief overview of the URC and the progress they have made. The URC is a private company supported by Salford City Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency. The main aim of the URC is to generate private sector investment to secure sustainable regeneration. The URC is well ahead of its original investment targets that were set 5 years ago.
- MediaCity UK
Chris underlined the global importance ofMediaCity and shared some of the key milestones the development is approaching, such as the openings of the car park and link road in August 2010, the Metrolink extension in September,the 4 star hotel in November, and the studios which open in December.Although a major tenant the BBC are not the focus of MediaCity they will only occupy 25% of the final offer.The infrastructure and facilities are there to provide access for new and established businesses.
- Jobs
A great deal of work is being done to ensure that opportunities for local people and local businesses are maximised. Significant numbers of local residents have been engaged in the construction as have local firms. Work is on going to ensure local people are equipped with the skills the future workforce will need for a wide range of jobs; the BBC are working with Salford schools and establishing media apprenticeships and a mentoring programme, also the Media city Academy will be open in 18 months. Building on the good relationship with Peel and the success of the construction programme in the employment of locals, officers will seek to influence recruitment to media and non media roles to ensure locals are considered.
- Transport
A successful funding bid has confirmed the introduction of a new bus route, which will be subsidised for 3 years, connecting Salford Crescent to the Quays via Salford Shopping City. The route and schedule were shared with members. The Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) begins a tendering exercise to appoint a provider in August.
Members were very pleased to hear of the new route it will facilitate a marked improvement to the currently poor connectivity of public transport to the Quays. Members though remain concerned about certain areas of Salford, Kersal for example, where it is still difficult for the local community to access public transport to connect them with the employment and leisure opportunities at the Quays. The URC could not hope to influence the whole bus network, but it is a problem that has been recognised. The new service is a piece in the jigsaw; the PTE are developing their ideal or target bus network and are working with providers to improve services.
Members asked about the current student shuttle service and whether this could be linked with the shuttle service. Talks are underway to see how this could best be achieved.
- Infrastructure.
Major improvement are underway to the local infrastructure around MediaCity. Members had previously heard about the Gateway Project, work has begun on improvements on and around the Regent Road roundabout, including landscaping and lighting.Super crossings and alterations on Cross lane will ensure that walkers and cyclists have decent access to the Quays. Access will also be improved with the development of the Irwell River Park.
The URC is also working with the private sector to encourage them to invest in the local infrastructure, notably the industrial area off Broadway.
- Chapel street Regeneration
The URC are driving the project to halt the decline and revitalise the Chapel Street area. The project will create new conditions for people to live, work and invest. Work with the English Cities Fund, the council Salix Homes and the NWDA has been ongoing to assemble the site ready for the transformation. This has not been easy given the variety of ownership along the site, but is nearing completion. The URC has undertaken a demand study to ensure the project outcome is the right one, it has worked hard to consult with local people and have established a forum for the area which helps keep people informed of progress. The project will deliver a mixed scheme combining commercial space and 860 homes (not just apartments); there will be clustering of retail and entertainment opportunities to liven up the area. The URC are working with owners, and developers to make sure that their future plans are in keeping with the project. Some improvements to the locality have already been made. The local school has been involved in design of murals on hoardings which tidy up and brighten up the area, and the council’s clean team has been targeting areas.
The Greengate area is a part of the redevelopment situated at the end of Chapel Street on the edge of Manchester. The URC shared the vision of what it will look like; a large pedestrian area with commercial space and an iconic footbridge into Manchester. Private sector investment funding is already secured and work on the public realm will start later this year. Greengate will be the catalyst attracting further investment, it will link with development work that Manchester council are planning and will also link into the Irwell River Park.
As set out in the central Salford integrated transport strategy, traffic congestion will be tackled by new calming measures. Chapel Street will have 1 traffic lane and a quality bus lane in each direction and traffic will be restricted to 20mph, helping provide a calmer, safer environment free of unnecessary markings signs and guard rails.The route is a key one for buses andintegrates with the proposed Leigh-Salford guided bus route and the Cross City bus route.Cyclists can share the bus lanes, but there will also be quieter routes off Chapel Street for the leisure/family cyclists. There will also be high quality pedestrian crossing points.
To avoid congestion traffic will be encouraged to use an enhanced Albion Way onto Regent Road, which will have its traffic signals reconfigured to increase traffic flow.
The proposed improvements to the Manchester Rail Hub will impact positively on both Salford Central and the Salford Crescent stations. These will increase capacity at each and with the physical improvement to the Crescent Station will improve the experience and convenience of the rail traveller. Although this may not be started until network rail begin their next investment programme in 2014.
Members raised several issues; they were appreciative of the proposals and believe the regeneration of the area is long overdue however;
Many were not convinced that the traffic calming measures on the A6 would encourage drivers to use the alternate route in the numbers suggested. They were not sure that the alternate route could cope with additional traffic as it is also congested at peak times.
Surveys show may of the journeys along chapel street are repeat journeys and drivers will learn that they will be better off on the alternate route also that complex traffic modelling proves that traffic can be increased by 40% on the Regent Road route.
Drivers will also be encouraged to shift modes with improved walking, cycling and public transport.
Members were concerned about cyclists’ safety and sharing the bus lanes. The provision of alternate routes would help but there are cyclists that will travel the most direct route. The reduction in traffic speed will help reduce the potential for accidents and the effects on cyclists. The URC has consulted with cyclist groups on the plans and shared schemes are proven to work elsewhere.Also it has been demonstrated successfully abroad the reductions in engineering and clutter encourages a cultural change and reduces congestion and cuts accidents. There will be no additional car parking but what there is will be reconfigured.
Many of the buildings on Chapel Street have attractive, historical frontages. The URC is working with owners to retain and refresh frontages, to try and maintain the heritage.
Members clarified details on some of the individual buildings on Chapel Street. Compulsory purchase is an option that may have to be used where owners won’t work with the URCbut this is a long intensive and patient process.
Members asked about the impact of the current financial climate. Strong leadership from all the interested parties has managed to maintain the momentum of regeneration, there is a real interest in the development of the area and the investment funding is as secure as possible. The success of the URC so far has instilled confidence in investors and they are committed to delivery, they have surpassed their original targets and have the potential to do even better in the future. The development framework is underpinned by studies of demand; consultants work together and continually re visit the plan to ensure that the outcome is more Salford then anywhere else.
- The Work Programme.
This was approved. The URC were asked to cover the Irwell River Park at the next meeting.
- Forward Plan
This was accepted. Members flagged up decisions 40 and 41 on the Irwell River Park, more will be heard at the next meeting. And the community stadium, which it is hoped to include on the future work programme.
- Report from previous meeting
This will be amended in line with the comments of Members
- Any Other Business
- Members attendance
Councillor / 1st Mar / 12 Apr / 5th July
Cllr.J. Dawson (Chair) / √ / √ / √
Cllr. V. Devine / N/A / N/A / √
Cllr. S. Dirrir / N/A / N/A / √
Cllr. J. Ferguson / √ / √ / N/A
Cllr. R. Garrido / √ / √ / √
Cllr. A. Humphreys / √ / A / √
Cllr. D. Jolley / √ / √ / √
Cllr. R. Jones / N/A / N/A / √
Cllr. B. Lea / A / √ / N/A
Cllr. I. Lindley / √ / A / √
Cllr. M. Mold / N/A / N/A / √
Cllr. J. Taylor / N/A / N/A / A
Cllr. G. Wilson / √ / √ / N/A
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